by Rosie Clarke
‘Yes, I do, and so do Janet and Anne. Maureen is just having a little affair at hers, because she wouldn’t ask me to have it here – but I think we’ll make the party a memorial to her as well as a birthday celebration. That way it means something more… And you’re right, it doesn’t help Laurie if I just sit about being miserable.’
‘Sheila is staying on until the end of her leave,’ Pip told her. ‘I have to go back the day after tomorrow, so I’ll look after the pub until you get back from the funeral, and then I’ll visit Dad – and then I’ll go. I’ll ring often, but I don’t think I’ll get more leave for a while, and that will only be a few hours, because I’ve had this extra time off…’
‘I needed you here – and you, Sheila,’ Peggy smiled at them both. ‘Thank you for staying, Sheila. It will help me cope with visitin’ and the twins.’
‘I’m not the cook you are,’ Sheila said, ‘but I can help and I’d love to learn from you.’
‘Pip says you make lovely bacon sandwiches,’ Peggy said and reached for her hand. ‘Thank you for everything. It is a comfort havin’ both of you here.’
‘I’m glad to be of help,’ Sheila said. ‘You know I’ll do anything I can.’
*
Ellie was sitting on the front pew with Peggy, Maureen, Janet and Anne and Alice. Tom had closed the shop for an hour and sat in the row behind. Mabel didn’t have any close relatives, although the church was filled with folk from all over the lanes. Her coffin had been brought in covered with lots of small posies of flowers, which people had sent in genuine sorrow for the loss of a popular woman.
Afterwards, the friends held hands by the open grave and wept openly for the woman they’d loved as their neighbour for years. When it was finally over, Sid came to fetch Ellie in his car and he took Maureen and Anne too. Peggy and Janet walked back, but they’d decided not to go to the wake, because they wanted to get home to the children. Sheila was looking after them, but if all three decided to play up at once it would be difficult for her.
Alice tagged along with them. ‘I’ll have a drink with you, Peggy. I don’t feel like goin’ to the wake much. Mabel was younger than me and it don’t feel right. I could do wiv a port and lemon, tell yer the truth.’
‘You’ll come to our little party tomorrow,’ Peggy said and smiled at her. ‘It’s for all the children and Pip and Sheila too, Tom Barton also has a special birthday – and I decided it would be a way to honour Mabel…’
‘Are yer sure?’ Alice said doubtfully. ‘With yer man in the hospital…’
‘It won’t change things,’ Peggy said. ‘Pip thought it might cheer us all up and after some thought, I agree with him. What Laurie did was brave. We should celebrate that and pray he’ll get better.’
‘Yes, perhaps yer right,’ Alice said and nodded. ‘It’s been a rotten few years in the lanes, Peggy girl…’
‘Yes, it has. We’ve had our share of trouble,’ Peggy agreed. ‘I just hope things improve soon. The papers say things are turnin’ our way, but I’m not sure the Germans know it – they don’t seem to be givin’ in, as far as I can see…’
‘Some would say it couldn’t get any worse,’ Alice said. ‘Everywhere yer go there are men in uniform and yer just know somethin’ is in the air, though no one tells us what it is. Bloody hell, Peggy, I need that port and lemon or I’ll be down in the dumps fer hours.’
‘It’s not like you to be so down,’ Peggy said. ‘Come on in, Alice, and I’ll get you that…’
She walked into the bar followed by Janet and Alice. Pip was on the telephone, and Sheila was watching him, as were most of the customers. Clearly something important was being said. Peggy’s heart started to race wildly. Was it bad news?
Pip turned to her and she could see that tears were running down his cheeks as he replaced the receiver. ‘It’s all right, Mum,’ he said in a choked voice. ‘That was the hospital. Dad woke up an hour ago and he’s had something to drink. They say he’s out of danger… but there are a few things they need to tell us. I said we’d both go along at two this afternoon…’
‘Oh, thank God!’ Peggy said and gave a little sob of relief. ‘I was so afraid he was goin’ to die.’
‘Well, bless yer, Peggy love,’ Alice said. ‘I’m right glad yer ’usband ’as pulled through. That cheers me up proper…’
‘I think it cheers us all up,’ Janet said. ‘Here you are, Alice – one port and lemon on the house.’
*
‘Well, I’m glad you’re both here,’ the lawyer said to Maureen and Ellie when everyone had left after sharing tea and sandwiches at Gran’s house. ‘You two are the principal beneficiaries in my client’s will. Until a few months ago, Mabel Tandy had left her entire estate to you, Mrs Hart. She altered it after Mrs Morris had the child in this respect:
To Mrs Maureen Hart, the lease of my shop, in the hope that she will carry the business on after my death.
To Beth Morris, the sum of twenty pounds, to be held in trust for her until she is eighteen.
To Mrs Ellie Morris, one half of the value of my stock, the other half to go to Mrs Maureen Hart. Also any money left in my post office account after settlement of any debts is for Ellie with my love.
To little Beth, I leave my few bits of jewellery.
Everything else goes to Maureen, also with my fondest love. We have been friends for years, dear, and I hope you understand why I left part of my estate to Ellie. And if she needs a home, you might let her stay on for a while.’
‘Of course I understand,’ Maureen said and smiled as the lawyer read the personal message out. ‘I’m glad Mabel left you something, Ellie, and I don’t mind a bit. She told me once that I was her choice to carry on the shop if she died and that’s why I made up my mind to it straight away…’
‘Oh, Maureen, I don’t deserve it,’ Ellie said. ‘It should all be yours…’
‘No, Mabel wanted you to have half the stock and her post office account,’ Maureen said and the lawyer nodded. ‘I’m not sure what the stock is worth, but I’ll pay you half as soon as it’s settled.’
‘I have a good idea of its value,’ the lawyer said. ‘I did Mrs Tandy’s accounts and her last estimate was seventy-five pounds, so that would make Mrs Morris’s share thirty-seven pounds and ten shillings… though you could have it valued if you wish, Mrs Hart…’
‘No, I shall pay Ellie that sum straight away – or I’ll give it to you and you can,’ Maureen said. ‘I do want to keep the stock, as I told you, and if the lease is mine free of charge I can afford it all.’
‘Yes, and I’m happy to tell you that Mr Brock is content to continue the lease in accordance with the terms of Mrs Tandy’s will,’ the lawyer confirmed. He smiled at them. ‘He may even be open to an offer for you to buy if you are able at some future date.’ He paused, then, ‘It has been a pleasure to be here today, Mrs Hart – Mrs Morris, I know how fond my client was of you both. She’d loved Maureen for years, so it shows how much she cared for Mrs Morris that she changed her will…’
He gathered his papers, went through to the kitchen to thank Gran for the tea and sandwiches and then left.
Ellie looked at Maureen uncertainly. ‘It is a lot of money for me, Maureen, but I feel I shouldn’t take it…’
‘You must. If you want to start your own hairdressing business it will help – and Mabel would be so hurt if you refused.’
‘You really don’t mind? I didn’t know what she’d done, honestly.’
‘I really don’t mind. I was prepared to buy the lease, and to take a loan from the bank to do it if I needed to, but now I shan’t have to. I have enough saved to pay you, and I can still manage to pay my way without borrowin’. The lawyer knows where you’ll be stayin’ and he’ll send the money on to you.’
‘Well, if you’re sure,’ Ellie kissed her cheek. ‘I’d better get back. Mavis was lookin’ after Beth for me, but I mustn’t take too much advantage of her good nature.’
‘You get off,’ Maureen said. ‘K
eep in touch, Ellie – and come and see us sometimes if you can.’
‘I’ll write and send postcards,’ Ellie promised, but Maureen noticed that she didn’t promise to return to the lanes. Somehow she didn’t think that Ellie would ever come back to Mulberry Lane. She’d stayed for the funeral, but now she would leave and she would probably put them all out of her mind – perhaps for Ellie it was the only way to forget the unpleasantness of the past weeks and years.
Chapter 26
‘All gone?’ Gran said when Maureen went into the kitchen to find Shirley helping to wash up all the cups and plates. ‘Did it turn out all right for you, love?’
‘Mabel left me the lease and half the stock. She left the other half to Ellie and her money, and her little bits of jewellery to Beth. I think everything else is mine – the furniture upstairs and down, which saves the expense of furnishing the living quarters…’
‘So you’re definitely taking it on then?’
‘Yes, I want to do it, Gran – for everyone’s sake. Another empty shop in the lanes would just about finish us for trade. Besides, it’s what Mabel wanted – and the money it earns will be for the children.’
‘If you earn anything. Mabel was struggling.’
‘Yes, I know – but I’ve got new ideas,’ Maureen said and smiled at her. ‘You’ll see, Gran. I’ll keep it ticking over until after the war and then I’ll make it wonderful. It’s a lot better a shop than Dad’s ever was. I can do more with it – and I shall… especially if I can buy it one day.’
‘Yes, I reckon you will, lass,’ her grandmother said, looking pleased. ‘Well, if you’re prepared to take it on…’
Maureen nodded. ‘I’m not sure how much Gordon will be able to do when he gets out of hospital, Gran. Tom wants to join the Army as soon as they’ll take him, which can’t be more than a few weeks now – and shop keeping might be a good job for a man who can’t do hard physical work… and I’d make Gordon his own boss. He’ll be in charge and the profits his…’
‘Yes, I guessed that was your plan for yer dad’s old shop,’ Gran said. ‘So Mabel’s place is goin’ to be yours – your independence, is that it?’
‘Yes, I think so,’ Maureen said.
‘What if I offered you the money to buy the property?’
Maureen stared at her for a moment, but then shook her head. ‘Gran you can’t – and I couldn’t accept. You’ve given me too much already.’
‘The money is coming to you anyway…’ Gran nodded. ‘I don’t need it, Maureen, and you would look after me if I did – so why don’t you invest wisely for the future?’
‘You’re a generous woman, but I won’t let you do it,’ Maureen said. ‘That money is yours to use as you see fit. I want you to spend more on nice things for yourself, enjoy life while you can…’
‘Just as yer like, love,’ Gran said. ‘As long as yer content and well, I don’t care what ’appens to it…’
Maureen kissed her. ‘I’m going to ask Janet if she would like to do a few hours in the grocery shop. If she says no, I shall advertise for an assistant. I’m lookin’ for a young woman, perhaps a widow who needs a job and a place to live for the wool shop…’
‘You’ll never have a minute to yourself,’ Gran said and looked at Shirley. ‘You’ve been such a good girl helpin’ me, love. I’m goin’ ter give yer a shillin’ fer sweets – you can go and ask Tom at the shop and tell him I’ll bring me coupons in tomorrow…’
Maureen frowned as Shirley took her coat and the money and left. ‘Do you think she’ll be all right in the lanes? It’s dark already…’
‘Shirley will be fine. Most folk around here are honest, Maureen. You used to come to me and then go home in the dark. I don’t think anyone will harm her and she’s a sensible girl.’
‘Yes, she is. I suppose I worry over her too much.’
‘Aye, yer do, but that’s love. She’s growin’ up, Maureen, and she’ll be a beauty – to my mind, you’ll need to worry more in a few years’ time than yer do now…’
Maureen laughed and nodded, because her gran was a wise old bird. Despite the violence that had shocked everyone of late, the lanes were usually peaceful and most people were friendly, meaning girls of Shirley’s age could walk freely without harm. It was when she started courting that she would be more at risk, but that was years away yet.
Maureen went upstairs as she heard a whimper from Robin. He’d had his tea when the house was filled with Mabel’s friends and been fussed over by everyone. She’d put him to bed when he showed signs of tiredness, but now he was awake and needed attention from his mother. For a moment Maureen knew doubt, because taking on this new shop would mean that she was busier than ever and perhaps her son might feel neglected at times, but then she dismissed the foolish thought. The shop was her children’s inheritance, their future, and she was sure to find someone to run it for her. She just had to be careful to choose well.
Mabel would be missed, and so would Ellie, although Mrs Stimpson had already found a girl to take her place in the hairdressing shop. Maureen hadn’t visited as a customer yet, but she’d seen Carla, the new hairdresser, going in and out of the place, looking very smart in a navy blue skirt and twinset with a red jacket.
People came to the lanes, some stayed and some left, some died and others were born, most left their mark. Life went on for all those that remained. Maureen would visit Gordon that evening and tell him about the funeral and what Mabel had left them. She knew he approved of her taking over the shop, but she hadn’t yet suggested that he might like to run her father’s shop when he was able. Gordon was a still long way from coming home and even longer from starting work. He could just about manage the length of the ward on the crutches they’d given him and he was determined to walk again and not be stuck in a wheelchair, even though the effort caused him pain and left him exhausted.
She was so lucky to have him back in London, Maureen thought as she went upstairs to sweep her son from his cot and wipe away his tears. He was wet and she changed his nappy, chasing away his sorry looks with kisses and tickles so that when she finally put him back down he was laughing at her.
For a moment she thought about Rory, Robin’s blood father, and wondered whether he would make another attempt to see him. She hadn’t heard a word from him since the day she’d let him see Robin and she hoped he would forget both her and his son. She thought the Army had sent him somewhere overseas, not to fight but to work at headquarters. Unless there was an accident, he would come through unscathed. All Maureen wanted was a quiet life with her family and she prayed Rory wouldn’t interfere with that when he came back again.
Robin had started whimpering again, even though he was dry and comfortable. She hoped he wasn’t going down with anything and felt his forehead, but it was cool, so he didn’t have a temperature. Maybe he was just out of sorts. Perhaps he’d noticed she was reserved and thoughtful recently.
Maureen sat with him for a while, telling him a story until he dropped off to sleep and then she went down to the kitchen. Shirley was back and she’d bought a stick of barley sugar for herself and an ounce of soft jellies for Robin.
‘He’s fast asleep,’ Maureen told her. ‘He’ll have them in the morning, darling.’
‘Mummy,’ Shirley said suddenly. ‘Why did that awful man kill poor Mrs Tandy? I liked her. She used to give me a biscuit or a jam tart when I saw her in the lanes.’
Maureen took Shirley onto her lap. She was a big girl now but they still had a little cuddle sometimes and this was certainly the time for it. ‘He was a very angry man. He wanted to know where his wife was I think, and Mabel wouldn’t tell him, because she was afraid he would hurt Ellie – and so he hurt her. I’m not sure if he meant to kill her or if he just got too angry…’
‘Some of the children at school say it was Ellie’s fault for goin’ with other men – was it, Mummy?’
‘I don’t think so. No one knows what makes someone do a wicked thing like that, Shirley love, but perhaps
the war had something to do with it – and perhaps he felt jealous…’
‘Perhaps he was just a bad man. That’s what Tom said when I asked him,’ Shirley said and sucked her barley sugar. ‘I think I’ll marry Tom when I’m old enough. He’s nice and he says I’m his best girl…’
Maureen laughed and kissed her head. ‘You’ll have a lot of young men after you when you’re old enough to go courtin’,’ she said. ‘Have you done your school homework?’
‘Yes, it was just a page of sums and didn’t take any time at all,’ Shirley said and Maureen smiled, because she knew her husband’s daughter was a clever girl. ‘If I don’t marry Tom, I might be a teacher like Anne – or I might be a doctor.’
Maureen laughed and sent her up to bed with a kiss and permission to read for half an hour. Gran had put the kettle on and they settled down to a fresh cup of tea and a chat.
‘Peggy is havin’ a little do round hers tomorrow; it’s for Maggie, the twins, Sheila, Pip, Tom’s eighteenth, and Mabel in a way,’ Gran said. ‘I’ve got a gift for Tom and you can give it to him. You go to Peggy’s, Maureen, and I’ll look after the children.’
‘I don’t see why we shouldn’t take them with us so we can both go for a short time,’ Maureen said. ‘I shall visit Gordon in the afternoon and I’m going to take them both with me. Sister says they can stay for a few minutes. Anne is coming with me, and when he’s seen them, she’ll take them down for a cup of milk in the café across the road…’
‘She’s hopin’ her husband will be home for Easter; I expect they’re both excited about the baby,’ Gran said and nodded as Maureen got up to wash their cups. ‘Well, I’m off to bed, love. Perhaps we can all look forward to a peaceful night… At least they seem to have stopped bombing us for a while, so we might get to sleep all night. Mind you, we’ve been lucky in the lanes this time.’ In the mini Blitz of the last months, the Germans had mainly targeted factories and docks, unlike the real Blitz in 1940 to 1941, which had devastated the heart of old London.
